Leading up to the 2014 season, the East Carolina softball team will introduce each of its newcomers with each of their interests, favorites and other details. Be on the lookout for the next installment and a glance at another first-year player at ECU.

Full name: Lydia Beth Ritchie

Most interesting thing I did this summer: I went on a cruise to the Bahamas with my best friend

Phrase you over-text the most: Goofy, I embarrass myself a lot, and I’m a clutz

Weirdest thing your coach ever said to you: “Quit thinking.”

Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite food I should never eat, but do: Cake icing by the spoonful

Favorite movie: The Notebook

Favorite athlete: Shawn Johnson

Favorite vacation spot: Destin, Florida

Favorite off-day activity: Sleeping

Biggest DVR obsession: The Bachelor/ Bachelorette

Dream car: Light pink convertible Bentley Dream job: Working as an occupational therapist for children with mental and physical disabilities

Biggest fear: Having a nose bleed. I’ve never had one but I would probably pass out if it ever happened.

How did you get started in softball?I started playing when I was eight because my cousin played.

What are some of your routines on game day or during games? I listen to Eminem on the way to the game, turned up as loud as it goes.

What is your favorite softball memory?My freshman year, our district was the toughest it had ever been. Our school had never been known to be that great in softball. We were playing Sequatchie in the District Championship (they had already beaten us three times that season). We won, winning the first District Championship in softball in the history of our school.

If you could change one thing about softball, what would it be and why?I would make it like baseball, where girls could play professionally after their college years and make it as popular as Major League baseball.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to young girls who want to play? Learn to have fun and love the game, that’s the only way to really enjoy it.

One thing about you that would surprise most people reading this: I start listening to Christmas music in July.

I can’t imagine going a week without: Food

Actress who should play me on the big screen: Jennifer Lawrence

Song I sing in the shower: “Royals” by Lorde

Dream date: Channing Tatum

First pro sports event you attended: Nashville Predators hockey game

I wish I: lived on the beach.

Award I would most like to win: I would like to win a National Championship with my team.

If I could be a character in a movie or a T.V. show, it would be: Katniss in The Hunger Games The first thing I owned that said “ECU” was: A t-shirt someone caught for me at my first ECU football game after it bounced off my face.